We are in a beautiful city, full of people who need
the hope of the Gospel. The transient population is
askingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;will I ever be home? What is family? Does
anyone care about my struggles? What is happiness?
Will I ever experience joy?
God answers these questions. He sent His Son Jesus
to dwell among humanity.
More than this, He sent Jesus to pay the cost of sin,
which is death. Jesus died so that you and I might
truly have life. This life is to be lived in community
with one another.

The

Mission
Church

Our Biblical-Theological Vision
What is the Vision for a Church on Mission in Norfolk and the surrounding cities?

God has called us to be a diverse community gathered to witness
to a glorious God by Worshipping Him and inviting others to Join
in. The Vision is a Biblical-Theological vision from Revelation 7.
I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from
every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before
the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches
in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to
our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!â&#x20AC;? Revelation 7:9-10

Revelation 7 is a picture of worship. What a
witness to the transforming power of God!
We will see this vision when we are
committed to making disciples who reflect
the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diversity (Matthew 28:18).
The

Mission
Church

Charles Shannon, Lead Pastor
Charles Shannon serves as the
Lead Pastor of The MissionÂ Church
and The Director of The Theology
Mission. He was born and raised in
Pensacola, Florida and stirred up
much trouble, before a friend
confronted him with the gospel.
He immediately began to hold
pavement Bible Studies in the
neighborhood housing projects.
When the Navy brought his family
to Norfolk it was clear it was time
to add knowledge to his zeal.
Charles completed a B.A. Biblical &
Theological Studies at Regent
University and earned a Master of
Biblical Studies degree from Virginia Beach Theological Seminary.
Charles is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree.
Charles lives in the Norview area of Norfolk with his wife Jaqueline and
their 3 small children. He is passionate about unleashing the whole
counsel of God for the people of God & the lost, that they might worship
and glorify God!

The

Mission
Church

LEADE

Phillip Dansby, Assistant Pastor
Phillip Dansby serves The Mission
Church as an Assistant Pastor
focusing on Assimilation and
Mission Communities. Phil first
came to Virginia in 2006 with his
wife Karen after receiving orders to
Langley AFB. Upon separation from
active duty in 2010, they were
obedient to a call to remain in the
area and raise a family. This led to
five years of service at Aletheia
Norfolk Church, where Phil and
Karen served in many areas of
ministry.
Phil trained as an elder for one year
and was sent out with the Shannon
family to assist with planting The Mission Church in the Hampton Roads
area. Phil is continuing to grow in his love for the scriptures through The
Mission Church’s training center, the Theology Mission, which prepares
missionaries, pastors, and serious students of the Word for local and
global ministry.

RSHIP

The

Mission
Church

Gathering to Worship ...
God calls us to make disciples who witness and worship to the Glory of
God. We will fulfill His purpose through a two-fold strategy.
gather as a church for corporate worship (1 Corinthians
FIRST Regularly
11:20).
Read the Word: Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of
Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching (1 Timothy 4:13).
Sing the Word: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and
admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Col 3:16).
Pray the Word: I desire then that in every place the men should pray (1Tim
2:8; Acts 8:15; Philippians 4).
Preach the Word: Be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and
exhort, with complete patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2).
See the Word: through baptism (“All who received the Word were baptized”
(Acts 2:42)) and the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

The

Mission
Church

STRA

... Scattering to Witness
SECOND Regularly scatter to witness to the people in our community.
Bear Witness to these things. “And behold, I am sending the promise of my
Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on
high." (Luke 24:45-49)
Be Present based on Jesus’ declaration that “you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts
1:8).
Testify both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in
our Lord Jesus Christ and…to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts
20:21-24).
Declare the mystery of Christ (Colossians 4:3).
As we regularly gather to worship and scatter to witness in the midst
of our diversity, we have a platform to proclaim the message of
reconciliation as we model racial and tribal unity
in a divided city.

TEGY

The

Mission
Church

Meet the People
We believe that God intends to accomplish this mission in Hampton
Roads through the diverse residents of Norfolk and surrounding cities.

Military

Norfolk has the
worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest
Naval Base and a
transient military
population

College

We have a
particular concern
for Norfolk State
Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a
historical black
university

Urban

Norfolk residents
include
gentrifiers, urban
renewalists and
others who live,
learn, and work in
the city

The Gospel is all-inclusive. Jesus died for all. His death is sufficient for all and
He makes his atoning death effective for those whom He has chosen. He is
calling a diversity of people to enter into a relationship with God and to serve
His people.
God shows His glory with the church gathered, and He shows His glory with
the church scattered on Mission. We call them Missio Dei Communities.

The

Mission
Church

Missio Dei Communities
Missio Dei is the Latin term for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mission of God.â&#x20AC;? Missio Dei
Communities emphasize three core concepts:

Gospel
WORD

The Word is
central to shaping
and forming a
strong community
of believers

Gospel
SHOW

God desires a
people who can
demonstrate the
fruit of the gospel
through a
transformed life

Gospel
FLOW

We are called to
be lifestyle
worshippers &
witnesses as the
gospel permeates
each aspect of life

We are committed to becoming Christ-like, humble, missionary servants to
our city through Missio Dei Communities.

The

Mission
Church

Action Plan & Budget
Our growing church family is actively pursuing our Biblical-Theological Vision by Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
grace and with the support of our donors, our prayer team, and our ministry partners. This
is an overview of our strategy; we look forward to providing you with additional details in
the coming months.

The Mission Church continues to meet
on Sunday mornings in Norfolk,
gathering for worship and scattering
to witness

The Mission Church holds Vision
Lunches & Dinners to build the core
team and increase awareness in the
city of Norfolk

September 2016 - March 2017

Fall 2016 - Spring 2017

The Mission Church is a recognized non-profit
organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Church Ministry Services (CMS), a ministry of SBC of
Virginia, provides The Mission Church with financial
oversight and accountability for our budget and
finances. You can reach them at 804-249-7557.

Your prayer
We also greatly
You are welcome
contribution is
appreciate your
to join our
indispensable to
special & monthly
growing
our success.
financial gifts.
community.
Will you join us? Please call us today.